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The AMD-Intel antitrust case is getting nastier, as AMD jumped all over the recent Intel-Skype deal. The way the deal is structured, the more advanced features of the new Skype would work only on an Intel chip, for no other reason than that Intel and Skype did a deal. AMD is going after Skype's records via the judicial system. This has to be a huge inconvenience for Skype.

Someone asked me if I thought that AMD is going too far with this case. I had to mention that way back during the 286 era, Intel was the one that began the process of using the courts to harass and intimidate the competition. I sense payback for the thousands of hours of depositions and millions of dollars in court costs and legal fees heaped upon AMD for more than a decade. This has turned into a genuine McCoy-Hatfield feud.

Curiously, none of the original players from Intel or AMDDavid House, Andy Grove, or Jerry Sandersare part of this case. In fact, both of these companies are breeding a whole new generation of guys who will not like each other. One of the daughters of one clan had better marry one of the sons o' the other. Yep. And soon!Continue reading...

John Dvorak is a columnist for PCMag.com and the host of the weekly TV video podcast CrankyGeeks. His work is licensed around the world. Previously a columnist for Forbes, Forbes Digital, PC World, Barrons, MacUser, PC/Computing, Smart Business and other magazines and newspapers. Former editor and consulting editor for Infoworld. Has appeared in the New York Times, LA Times, Philadelphia Enquirer, SF Examiner, Vancouver Sun. Was on the start-up team for CNet TV as well as ZDTV. At ZDTV (and TechTV) was host of Silicon...
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